What the vulnerability does
01Description
The Paypal Shortcode plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the 'amount' and 'name' shortcode attributes in all versions up to, and including, 0.3. This is due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping on user-supplied shortcode attributes. The swer_paypal_shortcode() function extracts shortcode attributes using extract() and shortcode_atts() at line 89, then directly concatenates the $name and $amount values into HTML input element value attributes at lines 105-106 without applying esc_attr() or any other escaping function. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Contributor-level access and above, to inject arbitrary web scripts in pages that will execute whenever a user accesses an injected page.
Explanation of Vulnerability in Simple Terms
02Summary
Paypal Shortcodes versions 0.3 and earlier contain a cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability that allows authenticated users to inject malicious scripts. The vulnerability has a changed scope, meaning injected code can affect other users and site functionality beyond the vulnerable component. Low-privileged users can exploit this without user interaction.
What an attacker can do
03Attacker Capabilities
Inject malicious JavaScript that executes in other users' browsers and affects site functionality.
Potential impact on your site
04Site Impact
Authenticated users can inject scripts affecting other visitors and site behavior; site admins should update immediately.
Conditions required to exploit
05Prerequisites
Attacker must have a low-privileged account (e.g., subscriber or contributor role) on the site.
Key dates
06Disclosure timeline
March 21, 2026
CVE published
April 8, 2026
Record updated
